TABLE OF CONTENTS Success... · GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RESUME WRITING. An employer can receive hundreds of resumes. For every hundred resumes an employer receives, only a few resumes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Career Services Overview ..........................................................................................................1 – 4

Mission Statement ................................................................................................................1 Services and Hours of Operation .........................................................................................1 Resources .......................................................................................................................2 – 4

A Successful Resume .................................................................................................................5 – 9

Resume Writing Tips and Common Mistakes .....................................................................5 General Guidelines...............................................................................................................6 Action Verbs .......................................................................................................................7

Types of Resume Structures ..................................................................................................10 – 18

Chronological Resume Guidelines ....................................................................................10 Sample Chronological Resume ..........................................................................................11 Functional Resume Guidelines ..........................................................................................12 Sample Functional Resume................................................................................................13 Targeted Resume Guidelines .............................................................................................14 Sample Targeted Resume ..................................................................................................15 Electronic Resume Guidelines (PDF) ................................................................................16 Electronic Resume Guidelines (HTML) ............................................................................16 Electronic Resume Guidelines (ASCII Text) ....................................................................17 Sample Electronic Resume (ASCII Text) ..........................................................................18

Resume Critique Checklist ............................................................................................................19

Sample Cover Letter Format ..........................................................................................................21

Cover Letter Critique Checklist .....................................................................................................22

Professional References .........................................................................................................23 – 24

A Successful Interview ..........................................................................................................25 – 34

Interview “Do’s” ................................................................................................................25 Interview “Don’ts” .............................................................................................................26 Dress for Success – Women ..............................................................................................27 Dress for Success – Men ....................................................................................................28 Responses for Common Interview Questions ....................................................................29 Behavioral Interview Questions – Examples & Tips .........................................................31 Sample Questions for the Employer ..................................................................................32 Sample Thank You Letter ..................................................................................................33 Sample Letter of Acceptance .............................................................................................34

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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Career Services department is to educate and serve the students and graduates of Central Texas College in their career development and educational planning processes. In support of the college mission, the Career Center functions as a vital component in the total educational experience of students, primarily in the development, implementation, and evaluation of career strategies and networking opportunities. Career Services provides assistance to students for the cultivation and enhancement of their ability to choose careers, master job search techniques, and research employment information.

ABOUT US

Career Services is dedicated to continuously fostering positive partnerships with employers, students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and the greater community. These external and internal partnerships are critical in helping students, alumni, and the public discover their career potential while exploring and pursuing careers over a lifetime. This is accomplished by providing a broad range of resources, programs and events delivered in a student-centered environment that include the following:

• Career Exploration and Counseling• Computer Resources and Internet Usage• Employment and Internship Information

• Workshops and Job Fairs• Testing and Assessments• Training and Career Coaching

Career Services personnel are available to assist you in all phases of the career planning and job search process. Additionally, literature is available about potential employers, occupations, and resources related to the job search process. All of our services are FREE and available to students, alumni, staff and faculty.

OUR SERVICES

• Career Counseling*• MyPlan - Career Assessment• College Central Network• Job Search Assistance

• Resume/Application Assistance*• Mock Interviews*• Typing Tests• Career-Related Presentations*

*These services are available by appointment only.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Central Texas College – Career Services

P. O. Box 1800 Building 118, Suite 6

Killeen, TX 76540 (254) 526-1106

[email protected]

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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RESOURCES

The MyPlan program provides guidance and information to help people make important career and educational decisions. MyPlan uses proven career development processes to help with career assessment and exploration.

For those seeking clarity on career goals, MyPlan provides information based on their own interests, abilities, and work values—based on comprehensive, research-proven assessments.

For those seeking quick, accurate answers to career-related questions, MyPlan provides easy access to comprehensive, coordinated information about occupations (civilian and military), majors, schools, scholarships and financial aid, and job seeking tools.

MyPlan is web-based and can be accessed from anywhere that internet access is available. See login instructions below.

LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS

Contact Career Services at [email protected] or (254) 526-1106 to request the current license code. You will need to enter the current license code, in order to complete the MyPlan assessments at no charge.

1. To use MyPlan, enter this URL: http://www.ctcd.myplan.com/2. Click on the “Create an Account”3. Complete Account Information section, then click on “Continue”4. Enter License code: CONTACT CAREER SERVICES5. Click on “Submit”6. COMPLETE ALL FOUR ASSESSMENTS: Personality Assessment – Learn about yourself (20 minutes) Interest Inventory – Learn what you like to do (25 minutes) Skills Profiler – Learn what you do well (15 minutes) Values Assessment – Learn what is important to you (12 minutes)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ctcd.myplan.com/

http://www.myplan.com/index.php

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RESOURCES

College Central Network (CCN) is one of the most visited entry-level job sites on the internet. It provides both students and alumni with the ability to search Central Texas College’s secure job database, in addition to CCN's Jobs Central national job board. The site also features valuable content geared toward entry-level job seekers.

Showcase your talents to over one million registered employers at College Central Network! Create, upload and update your résumé, portfolio, cover letter, and more. Submit them to recruiters seeking qualified job candidates like you.

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RESOURCES

WorkInTexas.com is a comprehensive online job search resource and matching system developed and maintained by the Texas Workforce Commission and the state workforce network, Texas Workforce Solutions. It is intended to provide recruiting assistance to Texas employers of all types and sizes, and job search assistance to any individual seeking work in Texas.

WorkInTexas.com is Texas' Labor Exchange System as mandated by the Wagner Peyser Act, and operates in cooperative effort with JobCentral, the National Labor Exchange System.

WorkInTexas.com is provided at no cost, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and seeks to match qualified job seekers with potential job opportunities by comparing experience, skills, abilities, education, and other factors.

Employers can post jobs, search résumés, recruit candidates, get labor market information, and receive a variety of other services available via a network of Workforce Solutions Offices throughout the state.

Individuals seeking a new job, different job, or an additional job can post their résumé, search job listings (including all Texas state agency jobs), obtain employer contact information to apply for jobs, get information about the job market, and receive a variety of other services also available via Workforce Solutions Offices throughout the state.

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A SUCCESSFUL RESUME

So, how do I create it?

Focus on a clear job target.

Communicate your value to the employer by emphasizing your ability to produce results.

Think of your resume as a self-advertisement that clearly describes your capabilities andaccomplishments.

Make sure your resume is error-free! It demonstrates the care you put into your work.

RESUME WRITING TIPS

Use action verbs

Emphasize results - Example:

increased sales by $100,000

Keep sentences and paragraphs brief

Use indented or bulleted statements

Use simple terms

Position strongest statements on top

Exclude “I”

Explain or eliminate jargon

Focus on what you have done or what

you can do

Review and eidt edit

COMMON RESUME MISTAKES

Typographical and grammatical errors

Lack of specifics

Too long or too short

No action verbs

Visually too busy

Incorrect contact information

Using paragraphs instead of bullets

Including personal information

“References available upon request”

Ignoring keywords

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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RESUME WRITING

An employer can receive hundreds of resumes. For every hundred resumes an employer receives, only a few resumes stand out from the crowd. Want your resume to standout? Start by including a well-written cover letter with the resume. Then, follow these resume guidelines to create an interview-winning resume.

Your resume, at first glance, can impress or depress the employer. Resumes should

have a clear, easy-to-read font such as 12 point Arial or Times New Roman, and

easy-to-find and skim information; every mailed resume should be freshly printed on

high quality paper.

Proofread! Your resume should be free of any spelling, grammatical, or typographical

errors.

Contact Information: Give the potential employer your name, address, telephone

number, and email address.

Profile/Summary: This is your opportunity to summarize the skills, experience, and

key accomplishments from your work history as they relate to the job/career field for

which you are applying.

Highlights/Professional Skills: This section of the resume is usually a series of

bulleted points that emphasize your most significant career-related skills, abilities,

personality traits, and characteristics.

Objective Statement: This is a targeted statement that briefly describes what you have

to offer the employer in regards to a specific job or type of position.

Employment History: For each former employer, clearly indicate the company name,

your position, the location, and dates (month/year) of employment. You can include

volunteer experience if you have limited wage-earning experience.

Education: Include completion date (or anticipated completion date), majors/minors,

degrees, as well as the name and location of the educational institution. You can also

include any relevant continuing education or professional development.

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Action Verbs – By Skills Categories

Remember to use action verbs like these to describe your skills and accomplishments when developing your resume and cover letter to increase the strength of your writing and make potential employers take notice! The action verbs used for your current employment should be present tense and past tense should be used for previous employment.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills: Addressed Advertised Arbitrated Arranged Articulated Authored Clarified Collaborated Communicated Composed Condensed Conferred Consulted Contacted Conveyed Convinced Corresponded

Debated Defined Developed Directed Discussed Drafted Edited Elicited Enlisted Explained Expressed Formulated Furnished Incorporated Influenced Interacted Interpreted

Interviewed Involved Joined Judged Lectured Listened Marketed Mediated Moderated Negotiated Observed Outlined Participated Persuaded Presented Promoted Proposed

Publicized Reconciled Recruited Referred Reinforced Reported Resolved Responded Solicited Specified Spoke Suggested Summarized Synthesized Translated Wrote

Creative Skills: Acted Adapted Began Combined Composed Conceptualized Condensed Created Customized

Designed Developed Directed Displayed Drew Entertained Established Fashioned Formulated

Founded Illustrated Initiated Instituted Integrated Introduced Invented Modeled Modified

Originated Performed Photographed Planned Revised Revitalized Shaped Solved

Data/Financial Skills: Administered Adjusted Allocated Analyzed Appraised Assessed Audited Balanced

Budgeted Calculated Computed Conserved Corrected Determined Developed Estimated

Forecasted Managed Marketed Measured Netted Planned Prepared Programmed

Projected Qualified Reconciled Reduced Researched Retrieved

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Collaborative Skills: Adapted Advocated Aided Answered Arranged Assessed Assisted Clarified Coached

Contributed Cooperated Counseled Demonstrated Diagnosed Educated Encouraged Ensured Expedited

Facilitated Familiarized Furthered Guided Helped Insured Intervened Motivated Prevented

Provided Referred Rehabilitated Represented Resolved Simplified Supplied Supported Volunteered

Collaborated Management Skills: Administered Analyzed Appointed Approved Assigned Attained Authorized Chaired Considered Consolidated Contracted Controlled Converted Coordinated Decided

Delegated Developed Directed Eliminated Emphasized Enforced Enhanced Established Executed Generated Handled Headed Hired Hosted Improved

Incorporated Increased Initiated Inspected Instituted Led Managed Merged Motivated Navigated Organized Originated Overhauled Oversaw Planned

Presided Prioritized Produced Recommended Reorganized Replaced Restored Reviewed Scheduled Secured Selected Streamlined Strengthened Supervised Terminated

Organizational Skills: Approved Arranged Catalogued Categorized Charted Classified Coded Collected Compiled Corrected Corresponded

Distributed Executed Filed Generated Incorporated Inspected Logged Maintained Monitored Obtained Operated

Ordered Organized Prepared Processed Provided Purchased Recorded Registered Reserved Responded Reviewed

Routed Scheduled Screened Submitted Supplied Standardized Systematized Updated Validated Verified

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Research Skills: Analyzed Clarified Collected Compared Conducted Critiqued Detected Determined

Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Experimented Explored Extracted Formulated Gathered

Inspected Interviewed Invented Investigated Located Measured Organized Researched

Reviewed Searched Solved Summarized Surveyed Systematized Tested

Teaching Skills: Adapted Advised Clarified Coached Communicated Conducted Coordinated Critiqued

Developed Enabled Encouraged Evaluated Explained Facilitated Focused Guided

Individualized Informed Instilled Instructed Motivated Persuaded Simulated Stimulated

Taught Tested Trained Transmitted Tutored

Technical Skills: Adapted Applied Assembled Built Calculated Computed Conserved Constructed Converted

Debugged Designed Determined Developed Engineered Fabricated Fortified Installed Maintained

Operated Overhauled Printed Programmed Rectified Regulated Remodeled Repaired Replaced

Restored Solved Specialized Standardized Studied Upgraded Utilized

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TYPES OF RESUME STRUCTURES

CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

A chronological resume is the most common type of resume and accommodates all industries and levels of experience.

Emphasis: Employment history

Advantages: Shows continuity and career growth

Best Use: When work history has minimal gaps and supports the desired position

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

List your contact information at the top of the resume, including your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address. This information is normally centered on the paper and written in a basic font style, such as Times New Roman or Arial.

Organize your resume into four sections: Summary, Employment History, Education and Professional Skills. Each of these headings should be in a bold font, and you will add the specifics under each section.

Summary Section: Write a brief statement summarizing your experience, skills, and abilities.

Employment History Section: List your work experience in a reverse chronological order (most recent position goes first) including your dates of employment, your job title, the name of your employer, and a brief summary of the job description for each job.

Education Section: Include all degrees held from colleges, universities or trade schools. You can also include any relevant continuing education or professional development.

Professional Skills Section: List skills which apply to the type of job or career field you want to pursue. This section might include productivity software, characteristics (communication skills, dependability, etc.), and technical skills.

EXAMPLE ON PAGE 11

http://www.ehow.com/how_2058801_write-chronological-resume.html

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RILEY RESUME 222 West First Street ~ Williamsburg, Virginia 23081

804-555-1212 [email protected]

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished professional with proven success in operations management. Superior communication skills, easily interacts with executives, regulatory agencies, clients, and staff. Technically proficient in spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and accounting software. American Institute of CPAs Member.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Project Management• Customer Satisfaction• Staff Supervision and Training• Vendor Management• Regulatory Compliance

• Benefits Administration• Proficient in Microsoft Office• Excellent Communication Skills• Quality Assurance• Financial Management

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Chief Operating Officer June 2009 – Present ELECTRONICS EDGE, INC., Williamsburg, VA

• Oversee all operational matters for a contract electronic manufacturing plant, in particularmanagement development and strategic planning

• Spearhead the effort for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification• Secure financing for turnkey manufacturing; implemented new methods to track and improve

profitability

Chief Operating Officer April 2003 – May 2009 FINANCE TEAM, INC., Baltimore, MD

• Supervised accounting staff with direct oversight of all accounting, payroll, and bankingactivities, using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Acquired lines of credit and initiated effective collection processes• Implemented GAAP–compliant financials and tax-planning strategies

Subcontract Administrator March 1995 – March 2003 SPHERE ROBOTICS, Washington, DC

• Administered all areas of Agency compliance• Established periodic compliance audits and reviews; performed daily compliance supervision• Organized and conducted full operations training, from investments and insurance to financial

and tax planning; directed clients relations

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration, Financial Management Emphasis May 1997 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Business May 1989 STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Stanford, CA


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FUNCTIONAL RESUME

A functional resume highlights skills and abilities, rather than chronological employment history.

Emphasis: Professional knowledge, skills, and abilities

Advantages: Provides considerable flexibility to best illustrate skills and abilities

Best Use: When changing careers or entering the job market for the first time

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A FUNCTIONAL RESUME


Group your top skills and experiences into different career categories. These categories become the subheadings for the “Experience” section of your resume. Create categories such as “Leadership,” “Systems Administration,” or “Sales and Marketing.” You may emphasize some skills over others depending on the job for which you are applying.

List the job title and the company for which you gained that experience. Be consistent.

Describe how you used each skill at each position and what resulted from using that skill.

Include experiences and skills you picked up volunteering, interning or at part- time jobs. These experiences are just as valuable as full-time work experience.

Include a chronological work history underneath your experiences. Position education either before or after experiences. If you just graduated from school, you may want to list work experience first.

Use the job posting to determine which category to put first, based on required qualifications.

EXAMPLE ON PAGE 13


http://www.ehow.com/how_2112773_write-functional-resume.html

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SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished professional with proven success in operations management. Superior communication skills, easily interacts with executives, regulatory agencies, clients, vendors, and staff. Technically proficient in spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and accounting software. Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). American Institute of CPAs Member.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Operations Management • Provided oversight for all operational matters for a contract electronic manufacturing plant, in

particular management development and strategic planning • Spearheaded the effort for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification• Secured financing for turnkey manufacturing; implemented new methods to track and improve

profitability

Financial Administration • Supervised accounting staff with direct oversight of all accounting, payroll, and banking activities• Acquired lines of credit and initiated effective collection processes• Implemented GAAP–compliant financials and tax-planning strategies

Compliance & Training • Administered all areas of agency compliance• Established periodic compliance audits and reviews; performed daily compliance supervision• Organized and conducted full operations training, from investments and insurance to financial

and tax planning; directed clients relations

WORK HISTORY




EDUCATION




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TARGETED RESUME

A targeted resume highlights the experience and education that best matches a specific type of job.

Emphasis: Skills, experience, and accomplishments targeted to a specific job posting

Advantages: Provides considerable flexibility

Best Use: When applying for a specific job type or position

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A TARGETED RESUME

Study the advertisement for the position and the company website carefully. Make a note of all the requirements for the job, both professional and educational, and make note of any skills or traits that the company seems to value, such as excellent customer service skills.


Create an objective for your resume. This is a targeted statement that briefly describes what you have to offer the employer in regards to a specific job or type of position.

Add a section to list your professional skills. List the specific skills you have that are also listed in the job ad and that you noticed the company values on their website. This section can include technical skills; proficiency with a certain computer program, or interpersonal skills; excellent customer service skills. List the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.

Create a professional experience section. This section will list your past employment. For each position, list your job title, the company's name, the location, dates of employment and three to five bullet points that explain the main duties and responsibilities you had on the job. These should also be targeted to the specific job for which you are applying.

List your education in an education and training section. Include degrees you have received or are working toward, and the college/university/trade school, location and date (anticipated date) you received the degree. You can also include any relevant continuing education or professional development.

EXAMPLE ON PAGE 15

http://www.ehow.com/how_6520487_write-targeted-resume.html


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OBJECTIVE

To obtain the position of Senior Operations Manager within ABC Corporation that facilitates the use of 10+ years experience managing resource allocation, strategic planning, personnel recruitment and financial analysis to support organizational growth.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Project Management• Customer Satisfaction• Staff Supervision and Training• Vendor Management• Regulatory Compliance

• Benefits Administration• Proficient in Microsoft Office• Excellent Communication Skills• Quality Assurance• Financial Management

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY


• Oversee all operational matters for a contract electronic manufacturing plant, in particularmanagement development and strategic planning

• Spearhead the effort for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification• Secure financing for turnkey manufacturing; implement new methods to track and improve

profitability


• Supervised accounting staff with direct oversight of all accounting, payroll, and bankingactivities, using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Acquired lines of credit and initiated effective collection processes• Implemented GAAP–compliant financials and tax-planning strategies


• Administered all areas of agency compliance• Established periodic compliance audits and reviews; performed daily compliance supervision• Organized and conducted full operations training and directed clients relations

EDUCATION



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ELECTRONIC RESUME

An electronic resume is a traditional resume which is properly prepared for electronic storing, distributing, tracking, and searching via the applicant-screening programs that are used by many job banks, employers and recruiters. The three most popular electronic resume formats are PDF, HTML, and ASCII Text.

PDF FORMAT

The PDF (portable document file) format can be used as an email attachment and is the best option when a resume will be read by a person and not a computer. There are various ways to convert a print resume to PDF format:

There are third party software programs that can convert various document formats toPDF.

There are web sites that can convert documents by simply uploading the document. The document can also be scanned to convert it to PDF.

HTML FORMAT

HTML is markup language that is used to build web pages. General Rules for online resumes in HTML format:

Be careful, check your code and view the resume on various browsers. Tables can be used effectively for formatting the content. Stick to common fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. HTML Editors, Microsoft® FrontPage® can be helpful in developing HTML resumes. Check to see how your resume looks using various font sizes in the browser. Check to see how your resume looks using various screen resolutions (800x600,

1024x768, etc). The use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) can be helpful.

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ASCII TEXT FORMAT

ASCII Text is basic text that would be used in an email message or for posting to an online job board.

Follow these steps to convert a print resume to a basic text document:

1. Open the completed resume in a word processing software (Word, WordPerfect, OpenOffice,etc).

2. Next, also open up a text editor program found on every computer - in Windows it's known as'Notepad' (under Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad), on a Mac it is 'TextEdit'.

3. Go back to your resume which is still open in your word processing program.-

Highlight all the text in your document by -

a. Clicking on - Edit > Select All orb. Using your mouse to run from the top of the file to the bottom

Notice that everything selected is 'highlighted' with background color.

4. Copy the highlighted text by clicking on Edit > Copy5. Return to the text editing program and click on Edit > Paste6. Save - To save as a text document: (the file type will be txt)

a. Click on - Save As andb. Name the file resume.txt (or whatever.txt)

The resume has now been saved in a plain text document format. All of the formatting previously seen in the word processed version has been removed. Keep in mind the following:

• Avoid centering information on the document; do not use the 'Tab' key• Make sure that all information is left justified.• Eliminate all bullets and replace with an ASCII Character such as * (asterisk) or - (dash).• Bold, underlined, italicized text is not possible.• Make sure that there are no extra tabs or character returns in the document.• Eliminate the "left-overs" from the print resume (for example, the page numbers and page

headings, if any).• Try not to group too much information. Put extra blank lines to draw attention to certain parts of

your resume. Put spaces between headings.

Use all CAPS for words that need special emphasis. Since Text Only or Notepad stripped your resume of all bolds, underlines, and italics used for highlighting words, use all capitalized letters to draw attention to important words, phrases, and headings. For the best overall effect, use all caps sparingly and judiciously.

Don't forget to save all of the changes!

EXAMPLE ON PAGE 18

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RILEY RESUME 222 West First Street Williamsburg, Virginia 23081 804-555-1212 [email protected] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS -Accomplished, seasoned professional with proven success in operations management to achieve the organizational mission. -Superior communication skills, easily interacts with executives, regulatory agencies, clients, vendors, and staff. -Technically proficient in spreadsheets, word processing, graphics, and accounting software. -Member AICPA. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Chief Operating Officer ELECTRONICS EDGE, INC., Williamsburg, VA June 2009 – Present -Oversee all operational matters for a contract electronic manufacturing plant, in particular management development and strategic planning -Spearhead effort for ISO 9001 certification -Secure financing for turnkey manufacturing; implemented new methods to track and improve profitability Chief Operating Officer FINANCE TEAM, INC., Baltimore, MD April 2003 – May 2009 -Supervised accounting staff with direct oversight of all accounting, payroll, and banking activities -Acquired lines of credit and initiated effective collection processes -Implemented GAAP – compliant financials and tax-planning strategies Subcontract Administrator SPHERE ROBOTICS, Washington, DC March 1995 – March 2003 -Administered all areas of Agency compliance -Established periodic compliance audits and reviews; performed daily compliance supervision -Organized and conducted full operations training, from investments and insurance to financial and tax planning; directed clients relations EDUCATION Master of Business Administration, Financial Management Emphasis, May 1997 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Business, May 1989 STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Stanford, CA

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Career Services - Resume Critique Checklist PRESENTATION AND LAYOUT

Resume is presented in a professional manner. Yes

No

Full name is included, in bold print, at the top of the resume. Yes

No

Contact information is complete and easy to read. Yes

No

Email address is appropriate. Yes

No

Formatting (e.g. bold, font, bullet sizes, heading styles) is consistent throughout the resume.

Yes

No

Headings and statements are evenly spaced. Yes

No

Margins are at least 1-inch on top, bottom and sides. Yes

No

Used 11 or 12 point font. Yes

No

Eliminated artwork, photographs, cutesy bullets, fancy/color font. Yes

No

Avoided using a resume wizard/template. Yes

No

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ORGANIZATION

Used commonly recognized headings, e.g., Objective, Education, Work Experience, Related Experience (or similar title), Summary of Qualifications, Relevant Skills.

Yes

No

FOR TARGETED RESUME --The objective clearly states what position you are seeking?

Yes

No

Resume showcases skills and experience to their best advantage. Yes

No

The education section includes official title of the degree program, institution, institution’s location, and (expected) graduation date.

Yes

No

Sentences begin with action verbs. Yes

No

Omitted references (list them on a separate sheet). Yes

No

CONTENT

Included details that demonstrate how you meet the specific job requirements/qualifications and stand out from other applicants.

Yes

No

The descriptions of experience, skills, and knowledge are related to the job/career field.

Yes

No

Use of present tense and past tense is applied correctly. Yes

No

Avoided use of personal pronouns. Yes

No

Avoided use of abbreviations (exception for State names) and jargon that is not commonly understood.

Yes

No

Included keywords related to the job description. Yes

No

Eliminated spelling, grammar, or typographical errors. Yes

No

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COVER LETTER FORMAT SAMPLE Date (Month Day, Year) Ms. Alice Rivers Hiring Manager ABC Corporation P.O. Box 1147 Killeen, Texas 76549

Dear Ms. Rivers:

Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position, and basic information about yourself.

Middle paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the employer and type of work the employer does (simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs (focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you). This is an opportunity to highlight relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is attached. Mention other attachments if such are required to apply for a position.

Last paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephone the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for their consideration.

Sincerely,

(Your handwritten signature)

Riley Resume (In case of e-mail, your full contact info appears below your printed name [instead of at the top, as for hard copy], and there is no handwritten signature).

Attachment(s) (refers to resume, etc.)

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Career Services – Cover Letter Critique Checklist

Eliminated spelling, grammar, or typographical errors. Yes

No

The cover letter is written in business letter format. Yes

No

Margins at sides and bottom are not less than one inch. Yes

No

Used simple language, kept it brief and to the point. Yes

No

No extraneous personal information (height, weight, age, sex, etc.). Yes

No

The tone of the cover letter is proactive. Yes

No

The cover letter is written specifically for a job announcement. Yes

No

The cover letter is individualized and addressed to a specific person. Yes

No

Cover letter is typed in an eye-pleasing, easy-to-read font, printed on the same bond paper used for the resume.

Yes

No

Overall appearance invites the employer to read it. Yes

No

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REFERENCES

Who? References should be people who will speak highly of your past work performance (class work, job, research, etc.). Character references should be provided only if requested or if your choices are limited. Examples of professional references include:

Professors Academic Advisor University Administrators Work Supervisors Supervising teacher(s)

How many? The standard is three to five. Should I ask them? Absolutely! Ask the people you have selected if they will serve as a positive reference. Do not provide their names to an employer without asking their permission. Ensure that you have their correct title and contact information. Give references a copy of your resume. Should I include references on my resume? No. References should be listed on a separate document in a format that mirrors your resume. Do not include “References available upon request” on the bottom of your resume. How should my reference page look?

Use the same paper, font, and format as your resume. Include your name and contact information at the top of your reference page.

Make sure you have the correct spelling of each reference’s name, official job title, company, address, email address, and telephone number where your reference wishes to be contacted. You can also list your relationship to them (ex. Direct Supervisor or Academic Advisor).

When do I give references to an employer? Follow the employer’s instructions. If they ask, send them your reference sheet. Some employers prefer to have references provided with the resume and application. Always take a copy of your reference sheet to an interview. At the end of the interview, ask the interviewer if he or she would like your references.

EXAMPLE ON PAGE 24

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PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Mr. Brian Barnes Chief Executive Officer Electronics Edge, Inc. 811 Corporate Avenue Williamsburg, VA 23081 [email protected] (804) 555-1971 Ms. Laura Martin Chief Executive Officer Finance Team, Inc. 922 Capital Street Baltimore, MD 21201 [email protected] (410) 555-1976 Taran Bailey, Ph.D. Professor of Business Administration Georgetown University 3700 O Street NW Washington, D.C. 20057 [email protected] (202) 555-3700 Barry Marth, Ph.D. Professor of Accounting Stanford University 450 Serra Mall Stanford, CA 94305 [email protected] (650) 555-0450

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COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

So, tell me a little about yourself.

I'd be very surprised if you haven't been asked this one at every interview. It's probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don't need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career, and your current life situation are fine.

Why are you looking (or why did you leave you last job)?

This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip you up. Presumably, you are looking for a new job (or any job) because you want to advance your career and get a position that allows you to grow as a person and an employee. It's not a good idea to mention money here; it can make you sound mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having been downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you were fired, you'll need a good explanation. But once again, stay positive.

Why do you want to work at X Company?

This should be directly related to the last question. Any research you've done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that you'd want to work there. After all, you're at the interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention your career goals, and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.

What relevant experience do you have?

Hopefully, if you're applying for this position, you have plenty of related experience, and if that's the case you should mention it all. But if you're switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it's matching up. That's when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.

If your previous co-workers were here, what would they say about you?

If some people from your past are going to say you're a boring jerk, you don't need to bring that up. Stay positive, always, and maybe have a few specific quotes in mind. "They'd say I was a hard worker" or even better “John Doe has always said I was the most reliable, creative problem-solver he'd ever met."

How do you handle working under pressure?

Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like aged blue cheese, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.

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COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What motivates you to do a good job?

The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life's noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.

What's your greatest strength?

This is your chance to shine. You're being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don't hold back and do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however is to drink anyone under the table or get a top score on XBox keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.

What's your biggest weakness?

Please, let's keep our feet on the ground. If you're asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that you're working hard to improve. Example: "I've been told I occasionally focus on details and miss the bigger picture, so I've been spending time laying out the complete project every day to see my overall progress."

Here are some tips and strategies taken from Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed by H. Anthony Medley

You’ve got nothing to lose. You didn’t have an offer before the interview. If you still don’t have one after the interview, you are no worse off. SO WHY WORRY?

You, as the applicant, are also an interviewer seeking to find out if the position is right for you. If something bothers you about the position for which you are interviewing, you should be as candid about your doubts and express it to the interviewer.

Don’t say something unless you mean it. If you are going to say it, especially when it’s not entirely true, be able to answer questions about it.

Treat every question as important. Although the interviewer controls the flow of the interview, the interviewee controls

the content.

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BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Employers may attempt to determine whether or not you are a good fit for their organization, by asking behavioral questions. Behavioral questions can identify leadership, initiative, and problem-solving ability. Your responses to these questions are generally indicative of how you have handled adverse situations or problems, and how you will handle them in future instances. The following are some examples of common behavioral questions and tips on how to prepare for them: What did you do in your last job to effectively plan and organize? Identify a task(s) or project for which you were responsible Summarize how you planned and organized the task(s)/project Describe the results

Describe a situation at work that required you to accomplish several things at one time. What did you do? Outline a specific situation that demonstrates your ability to multi-task Identify the actions you took to handle the situation Describe the results

Have you suggested any new ideas to any of your bosses? What prompted the ideas? What happened? Identify a specific idea/suggestion Explain why you made the suggestion Describe the results

Interacting with others can be challenging at times. Describe a situation when you wished you had acted differently with someone. Outline a specific situation Identify the actions you took Describe how you would change those actions

Describe a situation in which your efforts influenced the actions of others. Outline a specific situation that required you to work with others on a task or project Identify how your input or actions influenced others Describe the results

How frequently do (did) you have interactions with customers in your previous/current employment? Tell me about one of these interactions. Outline a specific situation in which you had a positive interaction with a customer Summarize your interaction with the customer(s) Describe the results NOTE: If you have had no direct customer interactions, describe a positive interaction

you have had as a customer and indicate how you would replicate that experience

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QUESTIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER

Remember, you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Therefore, it is important to do your homework on the organization where you have an interview. Always be prepared with questions to ask the prospective employer. The questions that you ask will be indicative of your interest, so prepare carefully. Here are some suggestions:

What is the next step in the hiring process?

What future changes do you see for the organization?

What makes your organization different from others?

How would my job fit with the mission of the organization?

What will I be contributing to the organization?

What do you wish you knew about the organization before you started?

What are the ethical and environmental philosophies of your organization?

What values are sacred to the organization?

What are the short term and long term strategic directions of the organization?

What is the greatest challenge, from your perspective, that the organization will face

during the next year?

Can I expect opportunities for advancement with the company if I prove myself?

What was your career path within the organization?

What makes your association with this employer enjoyable?

What are the organization’s goals for the future?

If I do well, what will I be doing in five years?

How would top management describe the corporate culture and how does that compare to your experience?

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THANK YOU LETTER SAMPLE

Date (Month Day, Year) Ms. Alice Rivers Hiring Manager ABC Corporation P.O. Box 1147 Killeen, Texas 76549

Dear Ms. Rivers:

Please accept my sincere thanks for the time and opportunity to interview with you yesterday. The visit to your office and tour of the facility was very informative and served to reinforce my interest in ABC Corporation. I would like to reaffirm my interest in the position of Analyst Manager with your company.

I am confident that my Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance, from Texas State University, coupled with my experience at America Bank has provided me the necessary background to contribute to your organization. In addition, I would like to highlight my success with the Banking Practices in Bell County project I completed for the Capstone Finance 478 class. As the elected team leader, I established an inviting atmosphere of interaction amongst my teammates, collaborated with local companies, and developed a methodology to assess client information, only further enhancing my analytical skills. Joining the analyst team within ABC Corporation will enable me to continue to grow and be challenged.

Once again, thank you for the interview opportunity. I am excited to be a candidate for the Analyst Manager position, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

Riley Resume

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LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE SAMPLE

Date (Month Day, Year) Ms. Alice Rivers Hiring Manager ABC Corporation P.O. Box 1147 Killeen, Texas 76549

Dear Ms. Rivers:

I am delighted to confirm my acceptance for the position of Analyst Manager in your Finance department at ABC Corporation. I will begin my employment on December 5, 20xx.

In speaking with Ms. Smith, the human resources representative, I understand that ABC Corporation has an extensive healthcare and insurance benefits program as well as a 401(k) company match plan. As we agreed, my compensation will be $45,000 annually and will provide for two weeks paid vacation leave each year.

I would like to once again express my appreciation for your offer and my excitement about joining your team. I look forward to my association with ABC Corporation and feel my contributions will be in line with your goals of growth and continued success for the company.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

Riley Resume

CAREER SERVICES

P. O. Box 1800 Killeen, TX 76540-1800

6200 West Central Texas Expressway

Building 118, Suite 6

Email: [email protected]

Local Number: (254) 526-1106

Toll Free Numbers:

Within the state of Texas: (800) 223-4760 EXT 1106 Outside of the state of Texas: (800) 792-3348 EXT 1106

Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Revised 05/17/2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Success... · GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RESUME WRITING. An employer can receive hundreds of resumes. For every hundred resumes an employer receives, only a few resumes